Bleacher Report - Articles by Charles Johnson

For Nascar To Truly Inprove Dale Jr Needs to Race Better

Charles Johnson — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:25:35 -0400

There are race car drivers and then there are guys that drive race cars. Right now Dale Jr is in the latter. He's in 25th place in Chase, he's Nascar's most popular driver but has yet to win a Sprint Cup Championship even though he is on Nascar's best racing team (Rick Hendrick Motorsports), so bascially he is racing's Alex Rodriguez.

I'm not a fan of Dale nor do I hate him, but he needs to race better and there are no excuses, can't blame the COT, can't blame the rules, he has all the tools and people at his disposal at Hendrick, he needs to live up to his name, his dad's legacy and the pressure that comes up with being on Hendrick's team. Its that simple.

His criticisms this weekend were answered well by Mike Helton and the legitmacy of Dale's statements have some merit but not as much as if they were brought up by Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin or someone that races hard and makes the most of his team.

Its hard to question your sport and its successes & difficulties when it appears you are not giving 100% and race that badly.

Dale was a great Nationwide (then Busch Series), racer and started his Cup career off decently at DEI but he never got past that okay stage with lots of potential. He appears satisfied with his popularity and that his career has stalled on the track.

Maybe he is trying hard and is just stuck with a legendary name at the best team in the the sport, but he doesn't seem to have the drive to be the best. He doesn't have the frustration of someone who is the first guy in the shop in the morning and the last guy to leave at night.

One of the problems of Nascar is Dale Jr, that he is the sports most popular driver yet he is not the best driver. It's a dilemma like the Chicago Cubs, the lovable loser, then changing into a wanna be contender but lets everything get in its way and blames everyone but themselves.

Part of being a pro is taking responsibility, of looking in the mirror (not the rearview), and making sure you are doing everything you can to win and then looking at your team and making sure all is being done so that checkers are in your near future.

Jeff Burton could complain every week for the crashes he's been in (especially since the double file restart rule change), and the bad luck he has had this year. What about Kevin Harvick and the bad year he has had.

And lets not forget Jamie McMurray, who has not lived up to his potential and now is losing his ride, yet he doesn't complain about his status.

Maybe its time we concentrate and make new most popular drivers, finally give Jimmie Johnson his due, or really give Tony Stewart the respect he deserves for these guys win and then they don't there are no excuses just hard work to get to the next win.

Take note Dale Earnhardt Jr & Kyle Busch, this sport is about hard work and winning, fans respect guys who are about either and who don't make excuses.

There's No Crying in Racing: Why Brian Vickers Should Shut Up

Charles Johnson — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:12:01 -0400

There is no crying in racing, never has been and never will be. There will be races you should win that you don't and there will be races that you don't deserve to win that you win anyway.

And there will be times that you have a very good car and for many reasons you won't win, maybe a crash, maybe someone in your way and just maybe that someone could be the driver.

Kyle Busch complained long and loud about how Brian Vickers got in his way on the last lap at the Nationwide Michigan race and then Brad Keselowski passed them both to take the win away.

Now that is racing, who ever finishes first wins. I guess Kyle is so used to doing all the passing, bump drafting, and every other move under the sun that when someone else makes the move on him, he's all upset.

Son, this is the essence of NASCAR. Check your history: In the days prior to COT, the old Winston Series was all about strategic passing and doing what you had to do to get the win.

The COT, in my eyes, has made some of that passing and moves much more difficult and drivers are a little more safer (though ironically Kyle isn't), so you don't see that much moving, but since Nationwide is still not using a COT, they still have some wide racing especially at a track like Michigan where there are multiple grooves and plenty of passing room.

Kyle must be intentionally wanting to alienating fans because no one wants to hear someone cry and moan about not winning, especially when they have created such havoc for other drivers when he did win. Its a round world and what comes around goes around.

NASCAR: Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose, and Sometimes It Rains

Charles Johnson — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:56:28 -0400

I start with that fitting quote from one of my favorite movies Bull Durham (yeah I know its a baseball movie, but it was set in North Carolina), because Crash Davis was right and like baseball, most forms of racing can't compete in the rain, except Lemans and Rolex series.

I know the issue has been raised about running on rain tires (and it was unsuccessful, heck Goodyear can't make a decent dry weather racing tire), and with the way most tracks are its just not safe to run on a wet surface.

My beef with NASCAR is how they have people waiting with baited breath about whether a race will be run, postponed, or cancelled (to run the next day), and it's just a time consuming and frustrating affair.

It happened this week, it happened last week at Pocono, and it happened a month ago here at Chicagoland with the Nationwide race.

Like all things NASCAR, I just wish they would make a quick decision instead of dragging it out to try and get a race in that might not be under the best conditions or that might have to be postponed again.

I know there has been a lot of rain here in the Midwest and in the Northeast and that just can't be helped.

However, NASCAR needs better organization, information, and management. Then again, you could say that about the COT & several other issues.

Racing to Win: Nascar Needs to Show More Love to Winners

Charles Johnson — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:10:41 -0400

First I must say that I have never liked the Chase format, either of them. I always liked Nascar because it never had an annoying playoff, it was just racing and everyone who was close was in it until the last race.

If you got hot late in the season, you had a chance for the old Winston Cup—well, unless it was one of those years Jeff Gordon or Dale Sr was just running away with it.

Anyway, the whole so called reason for Chase was to avoid the Matt Kenseth championship year of 2003 when he won the championship after winning only one race, though Ryan Newman won eight races.

And though "classic points" now are different than the second points change (2007), in the Chase format, still this is a system that awards consistency and not checkers.

Now granted I'm a die hard RCR fan and none of my guys are in Chase (though changing to a heavy handed points based on wins system doesn't help them), yeah I have sour grapes on Chase but that's because its a fraud if you think this is a championship system for winning drivers.

Its not, IRL (Indy Racing League), is a racing championship for winners, they give out 50 points for each win, Nascar only gives 10 (so does F1), so this is still a system that benefits not only drivers who don't win but as long as you are consistent (meaning 10 ten & top 15 finishes and very few DNFs), you are in the Chase.

The thing about racing (well pre COT), was that playing it safe didn't get you far, might get you into a wall, or many laps behind but now that everyone runs virtually the same car that doesn't do well with aggressive driving (ask Kyle Busch about that), you have really created some NFL like parity.

All of this falls into the hands of a driver like Jimmie Johnson (and I've got nothing against the guy), someone who races well every week, will do what it takes to win without being stupid and crashing himself or other people.

Now I know Jeff Gordon is the model of consistency though he does go into these slumps of not racing well (not racing horrible but not enough to be top 15 or so), and thus has not won a championship in the Chase era.

And its a shame, he's probably the greatest driver of our generation along with Jimmie, but the Chase system is just good enough to keep him from collecting anymore titles, but its not corrected enough to give a man like Mark Martin his due.

Have you seen him drive recently? He is like a man possessed. I don't know what Hendrick did to him but that old man is running a good car every week and is in every race and has won his share of races this year (four to be exact). Now he should be leading the point and on his way to his first much deserved and long over due title.

But NASCAR will keep it safe, and unless Mark can find away to just race so good he can't be denied, once again someone who didn't take the risks will get the championship. I think NASCAR likes it that way, but I don't.

Are Sideline Reporters Necessary Or Just a Distraction

Charles Johnson — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:06:32 -0400

I've been wondering what is the purpose of sideline reporting? Especially when it comes to reporters like Erin Andrews and multitude of female reporters on ESPN, none whom are particularly unattractive. Think of the female reporters who do sideline reporting for the NFL (especially Monday Night Football).

I mostly cover Nascar and even there we have Jamie Little whom they put in a fire suit yet there's that whole hair flowing in the wind thing going on.

Don't get me wrong, I am engaged man but I'm also a purist when it comes to sports, not a chauvinist but there's a time and place for good reporting and there's separate place for eye candy (like Maxim Magazine). Now with the story out about Erin Andrews being spied on in her Omaha hotel room while naked, it just makes me wonder about her place in sideline reporting.

I watched the College Baseball World Series this past month and she reported from the dugouts and foul territory on the series and at times she was a distraction to the game going on and at other times she was completely unnecessary.

I mean I really don't like it when a baseball manager is interviewed during a game in the dugout. It doesn't matter if it's Erin Andrews or Joe Morgan asking the questions, let the manager do his job. There will be time for questions in the post game interviews.

Same goes when talking to a Nascar driver just after he exits the infield care facility after a crash. I know from wrecking a few cars, the last thing you want to do after having a crash is talk about it, even if it his your job.

When you attend a game or a race in person there is no sideline reporter to give you facts (most which are trivial in nature anyway), so you follow the score and come to your own conclusion of what's going on.

Sports have gotten so in your face and around the clock (thanks ESPN), that its hard to form your own opinion about things or have the time to think for someone is always telling you something. And it doesn't matter if its a pretty blond, a dumb jock or some hack, do we really need to have a reporter always around to get in an athletes face to ask questions.

Aren't the media sessions enough? Apparently not, though I've had enough this aggressive style of reporter for even with Erin Andrews its still hard to swallow and enjoy my sports. I hope the networks don't think that this will make us watch more sports or adds to the broadcast.

Stopping NBA players or coaches on their way to the locker room at halftime of a big game doesn't bring more credibility to the game or add much information.

Talking to a Nascar driver while he is in the car during a rain delay isn't riviting television.

I mean when does it stop? In Nascar they open a radio frequency to interview the driver while he is driving the car either pre race or during a caution. How would you like it if you were questioned as you tried to do your job? Well you probably are, but it's your boss or a co-worker not a national news source.

And yes, as a Chicagoan (but not a Cubs fan), I'm aware of last years Cubs vs Brewers series when Erin Andrews was in the Cubs clubhouse in a skimpy dress and acting provacative while trying to be a journalist.

That's just unprofessional and as a former journalism student I realize you do what you have to do to get the story, but there are ethical limits and plain ol' good taste.

Call me a fuddy duddy but it's just too much these days with reporters constantly walking a sideline and giving up to date reports. It's that much worse to have a young woman flaunt herself at the same time. Its just not professional or respectful.

Will a Change of Scenery Mean a Return to Havoc?

Charles Johnson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:40:19 -0400

I write this more as a fan than being professional. I have been a fan of Kevin Harvick since he won the inaugural Winston Cup Race here at Chicagoland in 2001.

And I've supported Richard Childress Racing (RCR), 100 percent since then. I've backed Jeff Burton and Clint Boyer as my next favorite drivers.

But after last season when Casey Mears was signed and basically RCR gave them Clint Boyer's winning team and made Clint start all over with even new sponsorship.

That didn't sit well with me because he was on the brink of being a great driver and now RCR doesn't have anyone near the Chase and with Burton crashing the last four weeks (I'm not sure if the double file restart is to blame), there is really no one to root for and no one doing any decent racing.

So I understand if Kevin is frustrated in how RCR has gone from one of the top teams in racing to barely relevant. I mean Michael Waltrip Racing looks better than RCR right now and definitely, Stewart-Haas looks like the promised land now.

I mean plenty of drivers has switched teams and have gotten a new life on the track but for every Mark Martin there is a Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I just wonder if maybe Kevin should live out the last year of his contract and see if he can race better with the vast resources at RCR because I don't know if he can match being a top driver if he switches teams and get the same support he does now.

I just happen to be a guy who is big on loyalty and I think before he jumps the RCR ship maybe he can try and work something out.

But remember Kevin had his best days with Todd Berrier as his crew chief and for some drivers, they have a real connection with their crew chief.

Remember how good Jeff Gordon was with Ray Everham (and how he's not been the same since, though still pretty good), and how Jimmie Johnson is dominating with Chad Knaus, sometimes that relationship is golden. Maybe reuniting with Todd Berrier can bring that magic again.

As a fan I want Kevin to do well again but I just hope he doesn't burn his bridges at RCR in a frustrating attempt to try and get better.

Is NASCAR Still Fan Friendly?

Charles Johnson — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:06:41 -0400

I just spent the last few days (and a lot of money), at Chicagoland Speedway for the Nationwide Dollar General 300 & Sprint Cup Lifelock.com 400. Now this is my home track (I live 15 minutes from the speedway), but this is an International Speedway Corporation (ISC), owned track, which owns 12 tracks (Auto Club, Chicagoland, Darlington, Daytona, Homestead, Kansas, Martinsville, Michigan, Phoenix, Richmond, Talledega and Watkins Glen) that host a Sprint Cup race.

At Chicagoland you cannot buy a individual ticket for one race, you must purchase a "Track Pass", which is a season ticket. That includes this past weekend's Nationwide and Sprint Cup race and then a second weekend of racing in late August which includes a Camping World Truck race, an ARCA race and then an IRL race & an IRL Indy Lights race.

The problem with this package is most people don't want to go to all of the races (I actually do), but the ticket is expensive (the Sprint Cup race alone is $100 and the Nationwide ticket is $ 50), now granted parking is free but you can only bring in one bottle of water (and no coolers), into the stadium.

The food is very expensive, sandwiches and beer are $7 each, a bottle of water was $4 & a cup of Italian Ice and a box of popcorn was $5 each.

Now as expected, most people tailgate and there's plenty of room and time for that but the other frustrating thing is the trailers with merchandise for sale of each driver. Its hard to find anything (outside of a trinket), for $10 or less. I found a Kevin Harvick long sleeved T shirt for $ 10 & a hat for $ 8 and thought I got a deal.

Most shirts are $ 20 to $ 25 dollars, that included T-shirts and polos are over $ 40.

Needless to say in this economy there were a lot of empty seats at the race and the Sprint Cup race used to sell out. Now the attendance is the same for the Nationwide race & the Sprint Cup race.

Also I noticed that driver appearances & show cars were less visible than in previous years. Joey Logano came to the local Home Depot but was not there long (an hour or so), and they handed out bracelets to see him but it was in the early afternoon when most people can't get off work.

Kevin Harvick made a signing visit to a local Jimmy Johns sandwich shop but again it was at lunch time for a short amount of time (again around an hour), and that was it.

Also I went to my local Wal Mart for a show car appearance & driver simulator and got there 5 minutes before it was scheduled to end (I came right after work at 5 P.M.), and neither the show car nor the simulator or the hauler that brought them, was anywhere to be found.

It just felt like this year (more than in years past), you paid more for the race (and food), and got less and outside of the track in the week leading up to the race and there were less opportunities to see drivers & show cars.

It makes you wonder where the priorities are in Nascar and if they take the fans for granted and simply assume we will support this sport (and its high prices), regardless of the economy & the quality of racing on the track.

But already many fans have spoken by being absent and next year I will join them.

Keeping NASCAR Exciting Without Killing Anyone

Charles Johnson — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:59:32 -0400

So we all know restrictor plate racing can be dangerous and superspeedways with their high banking and drivers tend to draft and this causes some spectacular crashes and some hard nosed racing but how long before another driver gets killed?

I say another because Dale Earnhardt Sr died on that very same track eight years ago and Nascar has not been the same since.

So I wonder what changes should be made to ensure safety of the drivers & fans but not take anything away from racing, or is that not possible?

Basically we have seen a car go airborne in the April Talledega race and this most recent Daytona race, so is this a COT (Car of Today), problem? I mean there's enough blame to go around on this vehicle in handling and making basically everyone drive the same vanilla car.

But is this car safe? I mean obviously no one was seriously hurt in the Coke Zero race but the car has the tendency to fly when hit a certain way and this must change.

Nascar prides itself on safety and in any other form of racing there would have been a serious injury or death but without question some more engineering work needs to be done on the COT. Even if that means slowing the car down to the pace of a Camping World Truck or adding weight to ensure the car doesn't leave the ground.

The other issue is the tracks themselves, should the banking & turns be worked out at Talledega & Daytona to ensure that restrictor plates wouldn't even be necessary?

And what about the stands, should fans be as close to the action as they are. Right now a good crash could spray the crowd with debris, not to mention maybe reduce the debris cautions we get due to a hot dog wrapper.

I think Nascar leadership should sit down with car owners & drivers along with a representation of fans and see what can be done to keep racing, fun, exciting & most of all safe.

Nascar Is Eating Its Children: Doubledipping Needs To End

Charles Johnson — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:16:04 -0400

In no other sport (that has minor leagues), do the stars of the upper echelon of the sport, go slumming in the minor leagues.

But they do in Nascar and its called double dipping and there are many excuses for it, though I don't think any of them are good enough to cause the arrested development of the future of the sport.

Its been said some guys race in either Trucks or Nationwide (when all three levels are at the same track), in order to get a feel for the track and gain an advantage for the Cup race. Okay fine, but what about the vehicles being different, and the track is different depending on time of the day and the air and track temperature.

Its also been said that Cup drivers are encouraged to race in the two lower levels of racing in order to boost track attendance. Look its essentialyl minor leagues, its not going to sell out like a Cup race, the primary purpose of any lower level of racing is development of the young racers. If people come and see it, great, if championships are won, excellent but its all about building the careers of the up and coming. Also it serves as a place for those guys who couldn't make the cut in Cup. This is not a hobby race for those guys who are in Cup, for no reason what so ever, it compromises the future too much.

Indy racing (IRL), has Indy Lights and I saw them last summer here at the track in Chicagoland, its good racing, a much different car but all about the future, you're not going to see Helio Castroneves racing there to try and gain strategy on the track, that's what Roger Penske, his crew chief & engineers are for.

NHRA drag racing has the sportsmans (Lucas Oil) series, again. It's all about getting people prepared for the highest level of drag racing, the Full Throttle series, Tony Schumacher is not going to be showing up in order to get people in the seats. Hard core drag racing fans will come (and are likely to watch any two cars or even buses fly down the track, trust me I'm one of them), and check it out.

Major League Baseball (MLB), has many levels (low A to triple A), of minor leagues. The only times a MLB player will be in the lower levels is when someone has been out due to injury and is coming back to make rehab starts and get adjusted to the game again. Or a player is struggling in MLB and needs to go to a lower lever in order to gain some confidence or work on mechanics, no other reason.

I follow two local minor league teams, the Joliet Jackhammers an independent (Northern League), baseball team and the Chicago Wolves, the feeder ice hockey team for the National Hockey League's Atlanta Thrashers club.

Those teams are all about picking guys up and teaching the game, sure winning is important but its about the little things, such as technique & playing the game right.

Both of which is hard to do when a pro player is in your way.

The important of ending double dipping now is because the budget cuts have eliminated testing in Cup. Young driver like Joe Gibbs' Joey Logano & Marc Davis gained a lot of experience by being test drivers (they probably got more track time than the Cup drivers), so they got their track time & experience in the middle of the week on empty tracks rather than on the weekends during the race.

With that training & experience options gone, we have to keep the door open for the young guys and that can't happen with some Cup driver occupying their seat.

Why Chicago Shouldn't Host The 2016 Oympic Games

Charles Johnson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:40:15 -0400

I was born and raised in Chicago and now live in a suburb about 25 miles away, so I know I will get some grief over this, but the truth hurts.

My first issue is, do we still need to have Olympic games? I mean really its only about three competing countries: USA, Russia and China. They lead the medal counts, have the most athletes, and take the games most seriously. So seriously that there has been widespread cheating and even changed the rules to allow pro athletes.

Now where's the Olympic tradition in that? That's more like a corporate win at any costs theme and that's what the Olympics have become.

No host city has even broken even financially on the Olympics since Los Angeles in 1984. I remember those games; I was eight years old that summer. It was a big deal because the previous summer games in the USSR in 1980, the USA boycotted. Is that carrying the Olympic torch as we have been taught?

Of course the USSR boycotted us right back but still, isn't it about harmony and getting along, and all that good stuff?

Now its about doing whatever it takes to get the games to your town. Salt Lake City bought off judges for the 2002 Winter Games, and how many times does the US need to host the games.

In my lifetime, we had the 1980 Winter Games (Lake Placid), 1984 Summer Games (Los Angeles), 1996 Summer Games (Atlanta), and 2002 Winter Games (Salt Lake City). Isn't that enough USA dominance?

South America has never hosted any games, Africa has never hosted any games, and the Middle East has never hosted any games. I thought Dubai might be a good candidate for having summer games (they sure have the money), but I know that the area is not that stable.

But in this day and age, is anywhere really stable? Is any place really safe? This simply makes the cost of security at the games that much more expensive.

The 2004 Summer Games in Athens nearly bankrupted the city, and now the remnants of the games stand in ruins. The wonderful architecture from these past games in Beijing stands empty and is not being used.

Already London has gone way over budget for their 2012 Summer Games, and it will be interesting to see how Vancouver handles its Winter Games next year. Who knows what 2014 will bring In Sochi, Russia, or if we will even show up.

Things have changed so much in the world in the last 10 years. We have that global society of finance, economy, and even sports so do we need to have this elaborate production every two years to do what? Show off the superpowers, fake some world unity so that we can hear our national anthem played at every event?

I think that day has passed.

I truly think that day has passed in the USA and my hometown simply isn't up to the task to have the games. Not only is it a drain on the economy, but on every resource in that area.

People say that Rio De Janiero is a violent city, well Chicago has its moments (more like every night). In the past year alone, over 30 public school students were shot and killed (and that many were killed the year prior as well). The inner city can be as violent as anywhere in the Middle East, and the Chicago Police Department, which do as good a job as possible, are simply stretched too thin.

The infrastructure is crumbling. While the skyline is beautiful and I love it to death (and loved seeing it everyday when I was a student at DePaul University), look down from the skyscrapers; the streets have potholes, the bridges have rust, and the expressways are worn down.

Speaking of the expressways, traffic can be a nightmare during rush hour and the mass transit system is old, neglected, and desperately needs to be upgraded.

None of this comes cheap, and the mayor (The Honorable Richard M. Daley) has sold some viable parts of the city. The parking meters have been sold for one billion dollars for a 99 year lease, and the expressway that joins the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan (The Skyway) has also had its rights sold. The city has made profits on these deals, but still city workers are having to take non-paid days off.

There is a state wide budget crunch. The previous governor (Rod R. Blagogevich) ran a corrupt administration for six years. Who knows how much money was lifted from state coffers, and all that now remains is a lot of debt and a state that needs to get on its feet financially. The Olympics is not the key.

The city's Olympic bid is faulty. It is built on the unstable foundation of private donations and development, which in this economy is as solid as sand. The USA (unlike other countries) does not guarantee anything if the budget goes over. This puts any U.S. bid at a severe financial disadvantage.

Just this week Mayor Daley put the $500 million guarantee on the tax payers of the region, although months earlier he promised that the taxpayers would not be responsible for a dime. He has made it clear that he will do anything to get these games.

As I said before, the Olympics are not a win-at-any-cost event. Unfortunately, that's what they have become.

The Domestic Auto Industry and NASCAR: A Marriage on the Rocks

Charles Johnson — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:13:00 -0400

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting some sort of factory. At the end of my childhood block was a small steel mill and a couple blocks over was a Dutch Boy Paint factory. Right next to that was an International Harvester plant. About five miles east was a Ford manufacturing plant and another 10 miles south was a Ford stamping plant. This was in the late 1970s.

Today, all that remains in operation is the Ford manufacturing plant—it has a lot less workers and it closes for weeks at a time during slow times.

With the loss of industry, no place has taken it on the chin like the Midwest (Michigan and Ohio in particular), and no industry has been punched in the gut like the auto business. Granted, there was some over production, poorly made cars, bad business practices, and overseas competition that each took swipes at the car business.

But nothing worked the car business over like this current economic condition and one business that will feel the hurt from this situation is NASCAR.

I remember watching NASCAR in the 1980s when Plymouths, Pontiacs, and Buicks were amidst the Chevys and Fords. It was truly win on Sunday, buy on Monday, and you had a lot to choose from in domestic cars that also saw track duty. You had Regals (I still love the Grand National), Grand Prixs, and assorted other models.

It was announced this week that GM let JR Motorsports and Kevin Harvick racing know they are pulling their funding and I'm sure there are more teams to be dropped both in Nationwide as well as Sprint Cup and probably Trucks as well. We've seen other sponsors pull back from racing—heck, current Trucks Championship Johnny Benson is without a ride or a sponsor.

It makes you wonder the future of racing and the auto business. The two have been hand-in-hand for as long as most of us can remember. I recall Richard Petty saying racing started after they finished building the second car.

This will possibly open the door for new automakers to enter NASCAR—maybe Hyundai, Honda, Nissan—who knows, now that Saturn is Penske owned, they may get involved in putting a car on the track and new competition would be good for racing (IRL, LeMans & Rolex all have various manufactures and they do great), and it keeps NASCAR going.

I mean who would have thought 10 years ago that Toyota would not only participate in NASCAR, but put some really competitive cars on the track leaving domestics in the dust.

Still, NASCAR has been the pride and joy of the domestic auto makers, yet Chrysler (Dodge), left NASCAR and then made a comeback a few years ago and though it'S not the same as the days when Richard Petty's No. 43 Plymouth ruled the track, it was nice to see them make a return to the track.

So hopefully in these days of what seems like Detroit shuttin' down, GM's problems won't mean a total exit from the track. Maybe one day they can make a phoenix-like return, not only to the track, but the street as well.

Nascar's Lack Of Diversity & The Impression of Racism

Charles Johnson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:04:01 -0400

I am an African American NASCAR fan and have been so since Willy T Ribbs was racing in 1986. I was ten years old then. I had to wait twenty years until the next African American Sprint Cup driver (Bill Lester), and now it seems we may have our next African American driver in Marc Davis (if he can graduate from the Nationwide Series), though already he is having a rough ride, in last week's Federated 500 he made a rookie mistake when he crashed into Brendan Gaughan while going in to the garage and then Brendan's crew chief Bryan Berry said some ethic slurs to Marc during a heated discussion.

Now Berry has been suspended indefinitely from his duties by NASCAR yesterday and I'm fine with that. Some people are asking that Rusty Wallace (the owner of Brendan's ride & Berry's boss), should come out and make a statement against what Berry said.

As of Friday evening to my knowledge Rusty hasn't made a public statement one way or the other and here is where the problem begins with some owners & officials in NASCAR not taking a stand on racial issues.

I have been to the NASCAR races at Chicagoland Speedway which is my home track and yes I counted six Confederate flags flying among the tailgaters last summer for the Lifelock 400. Let me tell you, as a person of color (whose family is originally from Louisiana), that doesn't make you feel all warm & fuzzy inside.

NASCARhas been slowly addressing the race issue but so far its not enough, I know they have given some effort with their young diversity program which gave us Marc Davis and I know Earvin "Magic" Johnson has been involved with that program. Not to mention in the Camping World Trucks division NFL Pro Bowl reciever Randy Moss is a new but successful truck owner.

Still Nascar's biggest problem is their reputation and the appearance of being a sport that doesn't embrace diversity like other forms of racing.

Watch NHRA, IRL or Formula 1 (and I know they have had some issues with fans), but those racing leagues have women and people of color not only racing but winning. I think NASCAR really needs to embrace opening the sport to people of color. I'm not asking for some unequal program that brings in people of color because of the color of the skin and not the speed and agility of their racing, nor making cosmetic changes just to appease those of us who want the stands to look more like modern America.

I'm saying to simply make the sport more appealing, not just to people of color but to women and to more fans in urban areas of all backgrounds, because Nascar is still perceived as a league of General Lee's (which someone brought to last years Chicagoloand race and parked in a prominent place), and good ol' boys racing throughout the south.

The history of African Americans in racing is rather short, in 1956 Elias Bowie crossed the color line and raced one race, he was followed by Charlie Scott (also only made one race), in 1956. More famously Wendell Scott started 495 Cup races during the 60's and won a race in 1963. George Wiltshire made two starts in the 70's and Randy Bethea made one start in the same decade. That brings us to Willy T. Ribbs who made a few starts in 1986 and then re-appeared in trucks in 2001. And then Bill Lester had a great career in trucks from 2000-7.

NASCAR has tried to walk a fine line of still having its southern heritage while doing just barely enough to bring in a handful of people of color to the sport but its 2009, the President of the United States is African American, its time more drivers, crew members and fans look like him and are welcomed to the sport.

A Shrub That Needs to Be Trimmed

Charles Johnson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:19:41 -0400

I don't like Kyle Busch and after his Axl Rose like thrashing of the Nashville Guitar he won after winning the Nationwide Federated 300 Saturday night, now I hate Kyle.

I hate Kyle because he doesn't respect racing, NASCAR, or anything else it seems.

I haven't been fortunate in my life to win a lot of trophies or awards and which few honors that have bestowed on me, I have treasured them like gold.

Kyle Petty put it best on yesterday's Sprint Cup Pocono pre-race coverage when he said, "I had a house burn down and lost some of my early trophies, and I don't like to see people tear up trophies." Kyle Petty is also an avid guitar guy so I know he hated to see a Sam Bass designed guitar get beat in the ground like a stake used for throwing horseshoes.

There are a bunch of guys in NASCAR who would love to get their hands on that guitar (and not beat it like a drum), for it has meaning, not just as a win, but the special symbol that winning in Nashville symbolizes.

You don't see guys kicking over grandfather clocks or damaging other unique NASCAR trophies.

I don't care if he did promise his crew each would get a piece of the guitar. If that's the case, spend the money and have Sam Bass make one for each crew member.

We have to make sure with all the changes NASCAR is going through that we don't leave respect, honor, integrity, and being a gentleman in the rear view mirror.

Racing is more than just about winning races at any cost. It's how you win. Someone should let Shrub aka Rowdy aka Nascar's most hated driver know that.

Otherwise someone may come along and and take a guitar and hit him in the head.

Jimmie Johnson: The Best Driver Of The Modern Era That No One Talks About

Charles Johnson — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:19:25 -0400

I'm a long time Nascar fan who is growing tired of the way the sport is protrayed and one of the biggest things that bothers me is the protrayl of Jimmie Johnson. I know people say he's vanilla, he's bland, he's not exciting.

Yeah but he's dominant and wins a lot (six races so far this year), and he wins in such a fashion that it's not aggressive and idiotic (yes I'm talkin' about you Kyle Busch), and he wins in both regular season and Chase (again this is about you Kyle), and he doesn't complain much about the car or conditions (like Dale Jr), he simply drives smart, makes his moves and wins, what more can you ask for?

He's now on the brink of three straight Cup Titles, first since Cale Yarborough, and its time we speak of Jimmie in the same sentence as Dale Sr, Cale, Junior Johnson, and of course The King as the greatest to race in a stock car.

Yes Jimmie is that good, yet if you pay attention to ESPN and Fox, you'd think its still all about Dale Jr (who may be popular but is not a great driver, just average), and all that he does off the race track (for he sure doesn't do much on the track), you also hear about Jeff Gordon not winning, but Jeff had his time as a dominate driver and in this era of Chase, Jeff's racing style isn't championship stuff, it just isn't.

And no I'm not a Hendrick apologist, I'm a die hard RCR and Kevin Harvick man, but I felt it needed to be stated that with everything else going in in racing we could be missing out on a legendary driver here.

Think about in other sports teams that won three straight championships, my hometown Chicago Bulls did it twice, the New York Yankees pulled it off earlier in this decade along with the Los Angeles Lakers and it was common knowledge that these were teams for the ages.

So why can't the 48 team be included with the best of all time? Why can't Chad Knaus be considered a great racing mind and manager? Sure it could be considered that Hendrick is the Yankees of racing, they spend the most money, get the best free agents but they win, they also place well, they get their people the best equipment and chance to win and I don't buy into the thought that some of their guys get better stuff than the others.

It's about skill, teamwork, some luck, and knowing your stuff. Jimmie started off bad this year, but they righted that ship and put Kyle and everyone else laps behind with good, clean, winning racing.

I think the sport has had enough of the rough and tumble, aggressive drivers who carry attitude with them like its stitched on their fire suit.

It's time to give Jimmie his due and honor in the sport that he represents so well and dominates like few others.

Running with the Bulls: Chicago Quick and Not Much Else

Charles Johnson — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:20:06 -0400

I know it's still preseason; I know November is not even here yet. Even still, I've already got Chicago Bulls angst.

Yeah, they played the Timberwolves last night and for the first quarter or so, they ran like the Phoenix Suns and played great uptempo West Coast basketball, then that cold front that just crossed Chicago must have caused a draft on the floor of the United Center, for then the Bulls went back to their old, sloppy selves.

They blew a 17-point lead and eventually lost the game, 96-86, and are now 0-3 in preseason play. Granted, the Wolves have great young talent, but the Bulls showed they can run fast and have a nice, efficient offense when they want to, but, like a switch, shut it off sometimes, as well.

I love the play of Drew Gooden; he is a well-rounded player who owns both sides of the floor, but he's the only one to have that ability and desire. This team just need to be able to shoot and also get that great defense back that they had a few years ago. With new coach Vinny Del Negro now, I'd be fine with a running and gunning team, just as long as they keep it up.

I love the guys they have brought on for the preseason: Darius Washington (he brings that U of Memphis guard experience like Derrick Rose), Elton Brown (I've been watching him tear up the D-League the last few years), Roger Powell (he was a great player of U of Illinois) and Michael Ruffin (a great role player who contributed a lot when he was a Bull before)—these guys can support a quick offense; unfortunately, none of them played last night. It was the usual suspects who were in last year's offense.

And it's not that this team is horrible; it's just that they aren't very good at any one thing. Having Larry Hughes on the floor for lots of minutes doesn't do much for anyone, and having Kirk Hinrich play the 2-guard isn't anything to write home about, either. Why Derrick Rose came off the bench is questionable, too, though I know his uncle died and he missed Monday's practice, so maybe that's why.

Regardless, this team is just frustrating. You know it has talent and can be very good at times; it's just that, most of the time, it isn't. Well, it's preseason, hopefully these guys figure it out—soon.

A Rose in a Garden of Weeds: Derrick Rose's First Pre-season Game

Charles Johnson — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:47:44 -0400

Last night was Derrick Rose's first NBA game (pre-season mind you), in front of his hometown crowd and with about 40 friends and family in attendance.

Derrick did okay, but his teammates failed to show up. Rose had 10 points and five assists, but six turnovers.

Early in the game, he tried to do too much because his teammates weren't doing enough. He took some ill-advised shots, made some risky passes, drove to lane when he should have stayed up on the key and vice-versa.

But there was a lot of pressure on the young man, here in Chicago (my hometown too), there are a lot of people who expect him to save the franchise, which is too much for any one man to do—even for that guy who wore number 23, and especially with an inexperienced Head Coach in Vinny Del Negro (also his first game), and a General Manager in Jon Paxson, who still thinks he has a great core of young talent. So it needs to be a team effort to correct things, and it will take time and hard work.

Still, the kind of player Derrick Rose is needs to be recognized—he is a point guard, and a good one, but he's not Chris Paul or Deron Williams, at least not now, maybe not ever.

He will not score like crazy (he needs to work on his shot), he sets other guys up, brings the ball up the court, and runs the offense (and he did a good job of that last night.)

But it requires the talent, effort, and execution of his teammates and coaches, too. It also doesn't help that he played against a very good Dallas Mavericks team, which also has good coaching (Rick Carlise made his Maverick debut,) and veteran players.

I was one of those people who thought the Bulls should have selected Michael Beasley with the first pick in this year's draft, (Beasley had 21 points and seven rebounds last night, but missed the final and would be tying free throw,) because it was evident that the Bulls need a big scorer (in size and quantity.)

Don't get me wrong, Drew Gooden did a good job with his shot and with defense, though the team got killed in the post by Erick Dampier, but more than anything, the Bulls need a reliable shooter, not a gun-slinging wild man just chucking shots—they already have that in Andres Nocioni and Ben Gordon, but someone who can create his own shot and and drop that shot with regularity, I still believe Beasley is that guy, but that's a moot point now, Miami will enjoy his work.

Don't get me wrong, I think Derrick Rose is a good player today and was decent last night, but he needs help around him, on the floor and from the bench. He's no savior, sure it's a great story of the kid coming home to bail out his begotten home team, but it's not as simple as throwing him in a game and expecting him to make Merlot out of ditchwater.

Remember the talent that surrounded him at the University of Memphis? Rose made them even better, but he needs the seeds of improvement to start.

He didn't create this bad team in Chicago, so he can't fix it (at least not alone,) but he could be the first piece in getting this team on track and last night was the first baby step on that road to redemption.

NASCAR: Nationwide Series the Only Show in Music City

Charles Johnson — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:43:31 -0400

I checked the Nascar schedule the other day just to confirm next weeks races when I was surprised to see that the Nationwide Series was running Nascar's only race this (Easter), weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.

I was happy to know there is live racing this weekend and its not just any 'ol race with no implications. Still it is the Nationwide Series (something I will rarely write about, except on off weeks like this), which for all practical purposes is Cup lite.

Carl Edwards (the defending series champ), has won three consective races in Nashvillve and with two time series champ Kevin Harvick not running, it also opens the door for his RCR teammate Clint Bowyer (who won in Nashville in 2005), to get in the mix for a win.

Now as most of you know, the trophy for winning this race is a custom Gibson guitar (for which Carl Edwards could have his own band from his winnings), which is highly sough after by drivers, especially Music City natives like Bobby Hamilton Jr. who had a top 10 and top 15 finish at his home track last year.

I can personally say there is nothing like your home track, I can barely wait till my first trip to Chicagoland Speedway this summer, I've been to Indianapolis and its nice but being from Chicago, I get pride just from hearing about the local track, I know for the drivers, its added incentive to do well at home.

Now next week the Nationwide Series is off while the Cup and Trucks head to Martinsville, but the Nationwide guys will head to Richmond for testing on March 24th & 25th.

But for this weekend is all about the Nationwide, lets hope the guys can give us some March Madness of their own.

Kansas State: The Michael Beasley Show

Charles Johnson — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:09:55 -0400

I'll be honest this article and my reasoning for picking Kansas State as my NCAA tournament sleeper is simply because of one man. One 6ft 10in 235 pound who has dominated the college game like few others have (and for the life of me I don't see why people are still picking Tyler Hansbrough for player of the year), and even playing in the tough Big 12, he still put up historic numbers. I don't see that stopping right away in the tournament despite a nice first matchup vs OJ Mayo and USC or even against a solid (yet overrated), Wisconsin team in the next round.

And if things play out ,then he'd face Roy Hibbert and Georgetown in the sweet sixteen. I think B-Easy is the better ball player of the two, but that Georgetown squad is pretty solid and should have the edge on Beasley but you never know.

Beasley averaged 26.5 points during the regular season (3rd in NCAA), and grabbed 12.5 boards a game (1st in NCAA), he broke Carmelo Anthony's double double record (and you know where he took Syracuse during his only college season), and holds 27 Kansas State records, including Mitch Richmond's single season points record.

This is a man who lead Kansas State to a 20-10 record, with key wins over Okalahoma, Texas A&M and then unbeaten Kansas who was ranked # 2.

When you look at what he has done as an individual he reminds of other great college basketball players from that state including Danny Manning (who took Kansas all the way), Xavier McDaniel (the first person ever to lead NCAA in points & rebounds), and dare I say Wlit Chamberlain and his legendary career in Lawrence.

He is also compared to Kevin Durant and his phenomenal career last year at Texas, but B-Easy eclipses his numbers, just in his last four games alone he scored 44, 30, 39 & 33 points and he had a run of 10 straight double doubles.

If there is one guy this year who can put a team on his back its Michael Beasley and Kansas State will go as far as he can take them.

NASCAR: A Quiet Day at Bristol, Until the End

Charles Johnson — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:38:00 -0400

I know over the last week or two I mentioned on the inability of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), drivers (Jeff Burton especially), to finish out a race and come home with a checkered flag.

Thus, as I write this weeks article I'm having my dinner of crow, which isn't too bad with a little rice, gravy, and toast.

As a RCR fan obviously I'm excited about the win and this should hush some of the critics (like myself), whom questioned the lack of wins at RCR, with their talent level and depth of resources, since the race ended with Jeff Burton winning, Kevin Harvick second and Clint Bowyer third, all RCR men.

This also reminds us how uncertain a short track like Bristol is, that you can have a guy like Tony Stewart lead the most laps each of the last three years, yet not even get a top ten finish in any of the recent races.

Bad luck, maybe, more like Smoke being too aggressive (like his late race collision with Kevin Harvick), and a gamble like that can lead to checkers on a larger track, but the smaller places tend to take out those whom don't respect the narrow straight aways and seemingly endless tight banking corners.

Let me not forget that this also gets Chevrolet in the winners circle for the first time this season. After dominating each of the last few seasons, now Chevy has competition and with RCR and Hendrick Motorsports looking up to Roush Fenway (Ford), & Joe Gibbs (Toyota), it isn't an automatic win for the Bow Tie every Sunday, they will have to earn their wins.

And as for Henrdrick, I wouldn't be surprised if when we get to Martinsville in two weeks (no racing next week due to Easter), that we see Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson back in victory lane. Jimmie has run better each week of this young season.

His fans know he is a late bloomer on the track and as the weather heats up, so does the Lowe's 48 car. He is by no means out of the running of points race or anything else at this point and his time will come, sooner than we may know.

And without further delay let me give some time to Dale Jarrett on his last points bearing race. It was a shame Fox didn't give him more time or a better tribute.

I know he will be working for a competitor of theirs (ESPN), but this is a former champion, someone who owned Daytona for a while and is one of the few drivers who gets equal respect in the garage, on the track and in the stands. In his prime he provided a good strong yet not over aggressive driver whom could win anywhere and was always in the hunt.

A great point on yesterdays TV telecast was that of there are guys that drive race cars and then there are race car drivers, Dale Jarrett was the latter.

It was nice to have a race that didn't have overwhelming tire issues or other things to get in the way of the race, however, on Bristol standards, this was a calm race. When you watch racing on certain tracks like Bristol (Talladega comes to mind), you expect action, accidents (The Big One), and a race that keeps you close to the TV like a moth to a porch light.

But the ending on this one was true Bristol, whatever happened with Denny Hamlin (ran out of gas or a fuel line or pick up problem), just opened things up for the RCR guys to step up and walk home in order.

And looking ahead to Martinsville, I see that Jimmie Johnson has won the last three races here and between him and teammate Jeff Gordon, they have won six of the last seven (Tony Stewart sneaked in a win there), so I would expect it to be just like the RCR revival of this race. The Hendrick boys are too good not to be in winner's circle for much longer and with a track with that history (and a week off), I figure the 24 & 48 will pick up from where they left off at the end of last year.

With the week off, I'll write a column at the end of this week with some thoughts and issues of this young season, a progress report if you will, for we've seen some decent racing, but I think the best is still ahead of us.

NASCAR: A Cautionary Tale From Sin City

Charles Johnson — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:42:02 -0500

This past Sunday's Sprint Cup race was all about the yellow flag, many times it flew (once when it should have and didn't), and all the cautions.

Last season, in the home stretch of the Chase, we were blinded by the yellow flag, races ended in controversy because of it and races were long and boring due to all of the accidents.

Though this latest stay in Vegas wasn't an extended one, it did move slowly, as if the pace car was the lead car for parts of the race.

My first issue is with all the blowouts.

Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon, Jeremy Mayfield, and Sam Hornish Jr. (whom did not get the benefit of the yellow flag)—all except for one of them blew out the right front tire.

Now I'm not a mechanic, but having owned a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu LS that wore on brakes and tires and a buddy who had a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS that also wore on tires, makes me wonder if there was a suspension change (maybe due to the high winds).

Maybe Goodyear had a bad batch, but in any case, it needs to be looked at—all of these guys could have blow outs, but with the same tire?

I was talking with my girlfriend (whom knows more about NASCAR than I do), and she thought there was a tire issue last year at Lowes Motor Speedway, possibly in the Coca-Cola race, and then it was a bad batch of rubber, but we'll see what spin NASCAR puts on this, no pun intended.

Also about cautions, why is it that Fox never comes back from commercials early to let us know about cautions?

We come back from the break and already the pace car is out, the cars are lined up behind it, and it has been a good 45 seconds before we find out what happened.

When I am at home, I turn the TV sound down and listen to the radio broadcast, it's exceptional and listeners never miss a tire change.

Sam Hornish Jr. hit the wall hard and didn't get a yellow flag. He didn't leave any debris, but it was a good hit, not the bell ringer that Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon had, but a caution should have been given.

And yes, there was no caution for Jeremy Mayfield and his tire problem, but there was no impact either.

Something else that bothered me was that people still cheer when Jeff Gordon crashes. I'm a part-time Jeff Gordon fan (and a full-time Kevin Harvick guy), but I don't cheer for anyone to crash, having crashed that Chevrolet Malibu that I previously mentioned.

I know that impacts hurt long after the car is gone and the street is cleaned.

Fans at football, basketball, and baseball games always cheer when an injured guy gets up from a nasty fall or injury, why can't we have the same respect for other drivers?

I'm not asking for people to go kiss the 24 car; just show a little humanity and dignity.

Outside of that, it was a decent race, a good showing by Carl Edwards for the second week in a row.

Dale Jr. had a good consistent race.

Jeff Burton ran a good race but wasn't terribly consistent (which is usual for him). If Edwards wasn't running away with the race, he would have had a chance, same with his RCR teammate Kevin Harvick.

Next week the guys go to Atlanta, but first there will be testing in Phoenix, let's see what comes of that.

NASCAR's Time to Shine or Snake Eyes Again

Charles Johnson — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:40:50 -0500

After last week's debacle in California when NASCAR took all day (and half the night), to make a decision about a race in the rain that could have been decided quicker than a two tire change, this week guys drive into Vegas (baby!), and have a chance to redeem themselves.

Most NASCAR fans that I know are disappointed with Brian France's leadership, the way the sponsors and TV networks run the sport and everything that deals with the Car of Tomorrow.

NASCAR can honestly say they have the best drivers in the world in their sport, they have unprecedented TV coverage and packed racetracks to watch the races and seem to be squandering it all away.

But we are smothered with the image of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his new racing team and his new sponsor. It would be fine if he put up A-Rod numbers when coming to Hendrick Motorsports (The New York Yankees of NASCAR), but he isn't, he's an average driver with a legendary last name.

There is greatness on the track right now and those are his teammates at Hendrick, Jeff Gordon, who might be in the top five of all drivers when he parks his ride for the last time and Jimmie Johnson who might be right next to him after his last pit stop.

Yet what do we hear about, who gets along, who fights and what's Dale doing? This isn't Days of Our Lives or All Access Dale, this is the premier domestic racing league and it’s not a bunch of good o’ boys hauling whiskey either.

This is now (behind to the NFL), the most popular sport in America. I live in Chicago and I can tell you it’s big up here, we have a beautiful facility just south of town in Joliet (which I will be at when NASCAR comes for its annual visit in July), and even in JC Penny do you see NASCAR apparel next to NCAA wear.

This wasn't always the case, but NASCAR needs to good use of this popularity, people are fickle and racing is an expensive sport to follow, in merchandise and track tickets.

I know Brian France and NASCAR leadership wish to bring new fans onboard but the original fans are grumbling about the massive changes to their sport. New fans won't catch on when you have races that take longer to watch then the movie Ben-Hur.

All you have to do is look at the NHL to see a good popular sport become irrelevant real fast, due to greed, mismanagement or over expansion.

This week while the racing season is still young and the guys are in one of America's favorite and most fun cities, maybe we can see what true racing is, with a good exciting race, not too much hype and then we'll remember why we follow a bunch of guys driving around in left hand turns for 500 miles.

Sick of the Super Bowl

Charles Johnson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:07:10 -0500

Last year the Chicago Bears went to the Super Bowl for the first time in 21 years. It was the first time I got to see my team go to the big game since I was 10. It was an exciting time here in Chicago—so exciting that I got sick.

The week prior to the Super Bowl I caught that nasty flu that was going around and it was sickest I had been since New Year's Eve 1999 and the first few days of 2000 (no really believed I was sick from the flu).

It all started the Sunday before the Super Bowl. All the hype was really building here in town, there were constant news updates on the team and I was starting to have constant upchucks. (I swear I threw up food from the late 80's.)

By that evening, I was curled up on my bathroom floor in the fetal position, much like the way Rex Grossman spent some of the game.

So of course, Monday I called in sick for work and lay on my couch watching what else? The Super Bowl coverage being shown on every sports show known to man. I saw some of it in between frequent running trips to the bathroom. (If only the Bears running game was so good!)

But by the afternoon I was done running and could finally take soup and just lie down (I had no idea Rex Grossman would do the same days later), so I watched more Super Bowl interviews and analysis. Things were looking better by the end of Monday.

Tuesday, I was feeling a little better but still can't go to work. (People are now starting to have a hard time believing I'm sick the week of the Super Bowl.) I stayed on my couch and watched more Super Bowl coverage, more game plans, more interviews, more on South Beach and all things Bears, Colts and anything remotely related to the game.

I got better as the day went on (can't say the same for all of the Super Bowl hype), and by afternoon I'd had my fill of soup and dumb sports talk. By the end of the day I was tired of hearing about the Super Bowl and was actually ready to go back to work (too bad the Bears weren't).

I did go back to work on Wednesday, but didn't miss all the Super Bowl hype. Although just chillin' on the couch was nice, it was too bad the game had too many Bears with that couch mentality. And Lovie Smith was just chillin' with his game plan.

Thankfully, I was my regular self by game time. Except now Rex Grossman looked to be the one feeling sick.

The Chicago Bulls: The Britney Spears of the NBA

Charles Johnson — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:18:32 -0500

Just like I once thought with Britney, I didn't think it could get any worse for the Chicago Bulls.

Once Scott Skiles was fired, I was sure that the bleeding would stop and, at worst, this team would continue to stay the same level of crappy, rather going completely down the tubes.

I was wrong.

It wasn't just because Joakim Noah had a heated discussion that turned into a one day coaching suspension for Noah by his coach—and then another by his teammates.

It wasn't because the Atlanta Hawks beat the Bulls by a significant margin on Sunday.

No, the Bulls complete destruction is due to the fact not only has the team been playing the same lackluster style of play that they exhibited during Skiles' tenure, but they are still being coached in the same manner and young guys still aren't getting quality minutes.

For new coach Jim Boylan's first three games, all was right in the world—hey, it was the Christmas season—and it seemed like the team was headed in the right direction. And then, as if their New Year's resolution was to start sucking again, the Bulls went right back to their old ways in 2008, with obviously the same old result.

JamesOn Curry was brought up from the Developmental League for several weeks and then sent back down (on his birthday no less, what is it with this team and holiday demotions)—without seeing one minute of play.

I won't say that Joakim Noah had a right to get loud and disrespectful with Ron Adams, but I have to think that this young, energetic rookie has to be disappointed and frustrated both with his status on the team—only getting garbage minutes despite playing well when he does get on the floor—and the putrid state of their play in general.

What's most frustrating is that the Bulls are a team that last year won 49 games and 47 the prior season. Granted that was in a bad Eastern Conference, but thats a lot of wins, and they had been playing good ball up until this season.

The 2007-2008 Chicago Bulls, on the other hand, are at the point where they need an intervention. No, I don't want Dr. Phil in the locker room. But it's clear that the Bulls need two significant changes right away: a new head coach (from outside of the organization—I don't want Pete Meyers running this squad), and a major trade—with mutiple players involved and possibly multiple teams. And I mean starters being dealt, a real change to the makeup of the team.

Right now, hearing the talk of change from the Bulls' front office is just like someone on my roof throwing water out of a bucket and telling me its raining. If this was all the John Paxson was going to do to turn-around the team, then he may as well have kept Scott Skiles.

Skiles wouldn't have let the players vote on another player getting suspended.

Which is worse—a discplinarian like Skiles running the team with mutiny on the horizon or a soft coach like Boylan who allows the team to fall into anarchy?

John Paxson needs to decide that neither is an option and make the move to start from scractch. If he doesn't, the next person who might be overthrown might be him.

Can the NHL Provide Authentic Hockey...or At Least Try?

Charles Johnson — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:23:20 -0500

When I heard about the NHL's Winter Classic, I was excited.

I figured the game would be a chance to see hockey where it was meant to be played—outside.

Instead, I turned on the TV and got a dog-and-pony show on ice.

In the pregame coverage, the contest was hyped as "hockey returning to its roots"— which to me means pond hockey, 4-on-4, no boards, no lines, no gimmicks.

Just pure hockey as untainted as the falling snow.

Maybe I'm still naive about the NHL. I live in Chicago, and haven't had a legit professional team for years. Until recently, I couldn't even watch Blackhawks home games on TV.

Out of frustration, I finally gave my Indian-head sweaters to charity and started following the local AHL team. It's entertaining, fun, and affordable...but at the end of the day it's still minor league hockey.

With the Winter Classic, though, I thought the NHL finally got it right. I thought Gary Bettman and Co. were getting back to real hockey, after so many years of plugging teams in warm climates. Maybe, I thought, this was the start of a renaissance, a return to the spirit of the Original Six, one that would make hockey relevant again on the national stage.

Or maybe not.

As long as Bettman is calling the shots, we should be suspicious. As long as the only NHL player we ever hear about is Sidney Crosby, we should have doubts. And as long as no major network will carry NHL games on a regular basis, we should all be frustrated with the state of a once-proud sport.

Somewhere between mass expansion...and losing great hockey cities like Hartford and Winnipeg...and the rules changes (I'm sorry, shootouts just don't do anything for me)...and the lockout...hockey has become an afterthought in America.

At best, the NHL gets an occasional national telecast—and gets treated like a sappy Movie of the Week.

My one wish is that the NHL would get a clue and restore the game to what it was.

We have a little renaissance going on here in Chicago, with the Blackhawks coming back from an icy grave. Of course, it took the death an old, out-of-touch executive to make it happen—which is maybe exactly what the NHL needs.